Windows start button not working is common, it is carried from Windows XP till Windows 10. This issue could happen randomly and there’s maybe the not specific reason why it occurs. It could be due to a bug or a software glitch, but it’s sure that the start button not working issue is a frustrating one. Some users have reported that they have tried a number of fixes, but few of them actually worked.

In this article, we will show you how to fix the Windows start button not working issue, so make sure to follow the article till the end that we have managed to provide you. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Also see: What is YourPhone.exe process in Windows 10? Should I remove it?

What Issue can be Experienced with Windows Start Button?

According to the issues reported by a number of people who have experienced the start button now working. We noticed that some users do have experienced different issues rather than one, following are some of them:

1. Windows start menu won’t open when the start button is pressed
2. Windows start menu opens for a short time and then disappears
3. Windows start menu opens then suddenly it shows “Windows explorer stopped working”
4. Windows start menu opens slowly or delays for some moments
5. Apps are missing from the start menu
6. Apps won’t respond when clicked on them

Now let’s move towards the actual fixes.

Troubleshoot to Start Button Not Working Issue

To troubleshoot the start button not working issue, users need to do the processed the following fx methods.

Restart Your System

Restarting your system is the major thing you can do, the start button might be not working due to a software glitch or a bug. A simple restart can clear the bug or glitch and release the memory forcing your PC to start from a fresh. So just try to restart your pc, here’s how to do that if the start button is not working.

Step 1: Press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete buttons simultaneously.

Step 2: In the next window, click on the Power button and select to restart your PC.

Let your system restart and then see if this works.

Force Windows Explorer to Restart

Let me inform you that Windows Explorer is the actual program to run the start button menu. Sometimes the response won’t be triggered to open the start menu by pressing the start button. Forcing Windows Explorer to restart will resolve the issue.

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc at the same time to open Task Manager.

Step 2: From the Processes tab, search for Windows Explorer.

Step 3: Do a right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.

Restarting Windows Explorer has worked for many users, their startup menu has started working back to normal.

Force to Start Application Identity Service

Mind you, Application Identity Service is actually not made for users as it can evoke other application services. But if the start button issue gets resolved due to this method then it is worth doing it.

Step 1: Press Windows + R button simultaneously to open Run.

Step 2: Now type “SERVICES.MSC“.

Step 3: In the service list search for Application Identity.

Step 4: Do a right-click on Application Identity, and select Start.

Step 5: Now restart your PC.

If Windows PowerShell is not present on your PC, then you can use Command Prompt and follow the same steps and commands.

Check Corrupt Files

Corrupted or damaged files can cause the start button not working issue. So it’s good that to fix or replace the corrupted files. We will do this by using Windows PowerShell. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: In the search bar located in the taskbar, type “PowerShell”.

Step 2: Now, open the PowerShell by Run as Administrator.

Step 3: Now type the following command and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

• If you see “Windows Resources Protection found corrupted files but was unable to fix some (or all) of them” then type the following command and press Enter.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• If you see “Windows Resources Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them” then don’t need to worry as Windows has already replaced the files.

Rebuild the Index

Rebuilding the index can solve the start button not working issue. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Press Windows + R button and open the Run window.

Step 2: Now, type “control /name Microsoft.IndexingOptions” and press OK.

Step 3: In the Indexing Options window, click on Modify.

Step 4: Now, click on Show all locations button.

Step 5: Untick all the ticked options and press OK.

Step 6: In the Advanced Options, click on Advanced and click on Rebuild. A message will appear and then click OK.

Step 7: Now, simply restart your system.

Create New Admin Account

If you make a new account on Windows 10, it will provide you a fresh account with no bugs and glitches. In the new admin account, the start menu will definitely work back to normal. Follow the steps mentioned below to make a new admin account:

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc at the same time to open Task Manager.

Step 2: Got to File > Run New Task.

Step 3: Type “NET USER ACCOUNTNAME PASSOWRD /ADD, and press OK.

Step 4: Tick the box that says Create this with the task with administrative privileges.

Now you need to sign in to your new administrative account and see if the start button works.

Remove the Apps

If the start button not working has started just when you have installed a specific app or program recently, then it is possible that the app might be the culprit. So removing the app is the smart choice you can make if this method works for you.

Step 1: Visit Settings or press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Now select Apps and select Apps & Feature.

Step 3: Now select the recent app that you have installed, then select Uninstall to remove the app.

Disable Sign-in Info

If you start button doesn’t work when you have just uninstalled the PC then try to disable Sign-in Info.

Step 1: Visit Settings or press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Select Accounts and then go to Sign-in options.

Step 3: Now scroll down, under Privacy, disable “Use your sign-in info to set up your device after an update or restart.”

Roll-back to the Previous Windows Update

Some users were reporting that their start button not working issue encountered when they have updated their Windows 10. If that’s the case, then you need to roll back your Windows 10 to the previous update. This has worked for many users. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Visit Settings or press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Select Update & Security.

Step 3: Select Recovery located in the left sidebar.

Step 4: Under Go back to an earlier build, click on the Get started button.

Step 5: In the next Window, select the reason why you want to roll back Windows 10 Update.

Step 6: On the next Windows click on Next.

Now the issue has resolved if it does then stick to the current fix or workaround.

What if Nothing Works?

All the solutions mentioned above are valid fixes. At this point, the start button is not working should be get fixed. But unfortunately, if nothing works for you, then you have to re-install Windows 10.

Re-installing the entire Windows 10 without affecting your data will definitely work for you. Because personally, this workaround does work for me when I was victimized with the same issue. So there are high chances that reinstalling Windows 10 will work for you too.

That’s it for now, hope this helps! Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Till then stay tuned for more info.

See next: How To Fix the Windows 10 Start Menu If It’s Frozen?